Bernie Sanders calls Netanyahu a war criminal for actions in Gaza

In a series of public statements, Senator Bernie Sanders vocalized strong criticism against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a 'war criminal' amid heightened conflict in Gaza. These comments were made shortly before Netanyahu's scheduled visit to the White House, which Sanders condemned as a 'shameful day' for the United States. Sanders referred to the International Criminal Court's 2024 arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, emphasizing the implications of their actions during the recent Israeli offensive against Hamas. Sanders accused Netanyahu's government of systematically killing civilians and intentionally starving the population in Gaza, characterizing the Israeli military actions as illegal and a violation of international law. The senator expressed concern over the United States' support for Netanyahu, stating that both President Trump and former President Biden had aided the extremist Israeli government. In response to Netanyahu’s visit and broader U.S. involvement, some congressional leaders raised alarms about potential U.S. entanglement in new military actions, particularly against Iran. During a meeting with congressional leaders, Netanyahu confronted these concerns, while discussions around military actions against Iran remained contentious and politically charged. Sanders’ comments reflect a growing tension within U.S. political discourse about foreign policy and military involvement, especially regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The juxtaposition of Netanyahu's visit and the accusations leveled by Sanders highlights the fraught nature of U.S.-Israel relations and the internal divisions within the American political landscape regarding how to address ongoing conflicts abroad, especially in the Middle East.